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7 Things To Watch For Tonight On NBC Sports Network

Saturday, 01.25.2014 / 11:25 AM
Alex Kinkopf
- LAKings.com

KINGS (29-17-6) at DUCKS (38-10-5)

6:30PM PT, TV: NBC SPORTS NETWORK; RADIO: AM 1150

BACK TWO BACK: This is the third of five meetings with the Anaheim Ducks this season, and the second in three days. The Kings made their second and final visit to Honda Center Thursday night, falling to the Ducks 2-1. The Kings have split their two games against Anaheim so far, notching a 3-2 SO win on December 3.

The third installment of the season series with Anaheim takes to the outdoors, as both clubs will square off tonight at Dodger Stadium.

TOPLESS: Tonight marks the NHL’s first ever outdoor game in a warm-weather climate. As part of the NHL’s Coors Light Stadium Series, the Kings will host the Ducks tonight at Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine in the first installment of the league’s four-game outdoor series. Can the Kings grab a much-needed two points in open air tonight on LA’s hallowed baseball grounds?

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Although the Kings aren’t at STAPLES Center tonight, this is considered a ‘home’ game for them. The Kings went 2-0-0 when hosting Anaheim in Los Angeles last season, winning 5-2 on February 13, 2013, and 2-1 on April 13, 2013. Can the Kings continue their ‘home-ice’ success against the Ducks tonight at Dodger Stadium?

HAVE NO DOUGHTS: After Luc Robitaille and Kings Media christened the ice at Dodger Stadium Wednesday night, both the Kings and Ducks held full, but light practices on Dodger Stadium’s ice-sheet Friday afternoon.

The ice conditions for tonight’s Southern California Classic should be just right, according to Drew Doughty. As for the bodily temperatures, well, there’s water for that. According to John Hoven over at Mayors Manor, here’s what Doughty had to say about the ice-sheet at Chavez Ravine.

“The ice is a little softer than it would be in a cold atmosphere, but it’s fine. The guys are still ripping shots, ripping passes. It didn’t affect us. Both teams are playing on the same ice surface. There’s no excuses and the guy doing the ice has done a great job.”

“You’re overheating. You’re sweating like a pig so even just being out on the ice for ten minutes, it’s like you’re out there for thirty and you’re just sweating and dripping. It’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to use those intermissions wisely and recoup and rehydrate.”

Doughty opened the scoring for the Kings in the Ducks’ previous visit to Los Angeles last April. May he do the same tonight?

THE LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE: The Ducks last visited Los Angeles on April 13, 2013 when the Kings ousted Anaheim 2-1. Drew Doughty opened the scoring, sending home a slap shot past Anaheim’s Viktor Fasth midway through the first period. Ryan Getzlaf knotted the game 1-1 early into the second period to score the Ducks’ lone goal. Jonathan Quick made 19 saves on Anaheim’s 20 shots.

Mike Richards slammed home a beauty in the final moments of the second period, tagging a slap-shot up high past Viktor Fasth for the night’s eventual game-winning goal.

Richards has just one goal in the Kings previous 27 games. Can he find the net tonight at Dodger Stadium?

INSIDE OUT: The Kings have dropped four-straight games, and have won just four of their previous 15, going 4-9-2 in that span. They’re in dire need of a spark. If they can beat the NHL’s-best Anaheim Ducks in front of a raucous crowd at Dodger Stadium tonight, it just may be the boost they need.

WE’RE DOING IT LIVE: Catch a special extended version of KINGS LIVE on FOX SPORTS WEST an hour prior to puck drop at 5:30 PT. The live broadcast of the game can be seen on NBC Sports Network or CBC at 6:30.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL Mobile name and logo, NHL GameCenter and Unlimited NHL are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.